Suffolk Police has confirmed it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) – formerly known as the Independent Police Complaints Commission – over its handling of the incident.

The ambulance service is currently investigating its handling of Mr Barnard’s case but has previously told the BBC his death occurred during a very busy period.

The BBC has now learned Mr Barnard was declared bankrupt in 2017 and that he had been evicted from his Priors Close home at the end of September.

Image copyrightPA

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Two calls – including one from Suffolk Police – were made to the East of England Ambulance Service

Andrew McTear, who was dealing with Mr Barnard’s bankruptcy, said: “He was made bankrupt and ultimately evicted from his property because he failed to deal with his affairs and didn’t respond to any correspondence.

“At some point he lived with his mother. I was aware he was going back to the house. He wouldn’t have been able to get back.

“He certainly would be breaching a court order to go back inside the house itself.”

Neighbours say Mr Barnard had lived there for about 20 years and had on previous occasions been seen drinking outside the property.

They said concerns had been voiced about the welfare of Mr Barnard but he had declined help.

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Neighbour Janice Wilcox said the night Mr Barnard died was “very, very cold”

One neighbour, Janice Wilcox, said: “He was very obviously a troubled man and he liked to keep that to himself.

“To think in this day and age somebody had died in their garden, possibly frozen to death.

“We don’t yet know his cause of death but it was a very, very cold night. It was awful.”

Weather records show temperatures on the night of Mr Barnard’s death dipped below freezing.

It is understood concerns about Mr Barnard were first raised with social services, who referred the call to the police. Officers then contacted the ambulance service.

A force spokesman said: “Suffolk Constabulary can confirm it has made a mandatory referral to the IOPC who will conduct an independent investigation.”

Image copyrightGoogle

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Mr Barnard had lived in Priors Close for about 20 years, neighbours say